Ruth Mary Mehren Gossling

Ruth Mary Mehren Gossling was born April 12, 1928 in Aurora Illinois. She remained in the Chicago area until she was seven years old. In 1935, in the heart of the Great Depression, she traveled by train with her mother Ruth Mary Grant, and her younger sister Lois, to Portland Oregon where they joined their father Clarence William Mehren, an electrician, and her older brother Grant.She attended Saint Andrews Catholic grade school and Girls Polytechnic High School, both in Portland. At age 10, she rode the street car downtown where she took sewing lessons. Following her eighth grade graduation, she received a brand new Singer sewing machine from her father. She continued to hone her skills at Girls Poly and quickly put them to use at Mrs. Hidink’s Dressmaker Shop in Hollywood District. Her love of sewing and willingness to share her dressmaking skills benefited many young women with prom and wedding dresses and homes with beautiful draperies.Ruth married Kenneth M. Gossling in 1948 and they raised six children.In 1966, she was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints where she faithfully served in many different capacities. Ruth possessed copious talents and interests. Through the years she pursued and shared her creativity. Cake decorating, china painting, tole painting, water and oil color, muralist, calligraphy, floral arranging, and upholstering. She was a lovely hostess and opened her home to many on special occasions or when someone just needed a place to hang their hat. Christmas was filled with tins of her homemade butter-balls, chocolate pixies, spritz candy cane cookies, fruitcake, and her signature ice cream snowballs garnished with green frosting holly leaves and red hots forberries. Juniper adorned the mantle, a nativity graced one bay window, and small village houses lay nestled in snow in the other. Two carefully selected and fresh-cut Oregon fir trees stood beautifully decorated in the living room and family room. Friends and family gathered around the kitchen table to craft, play games, eat, and laugh.On the adventurous side, Ruth was a member of the Mazamas; a designation given to those who climb to the top of glorious Mt Hood, a beacon she loved for its beauty. She was the navigator when flying with her husband and 1st mate on the boat. She bowled in a city league for several years, with an occasional 200+ score. At age 70 she white-water rafted the Rogue River. Family memories were made at Larch Mountain, Saddle Mountain Park, Crown Point, Rockaway and Cannon Beach, with boating outings on the Columbia River. Her six children are fortunate to be benefactors of her many talents and generosity. Never were requests made of her that she did not fulfill ones desires or wishes. She was a behind-the-scenes person, who never sought for adulation. She stood strong and unwavering during the most difficult of times. With her beautiful hands, she held us, she taught us, she served us, and she created a loving home. Ruth lived in Portland 56 years before moving to Lawrenceville GA where at age 63 she opened Campus Commons Caf in an Atlanta business park. After four years she moved to Tulsa OK where she resided for 16 years. During this time she began her frustrating battle with Alzheimer’s. In 2010 she was moved to Lia’s Personal Care Home in Lawrenceville GA, where she resided until the time of her death. She was ambulatory until the last two days of her life. She passed peacefully surrounded by family, November 30, 2013 at age 85.She is survived by her six children; Susan (Kevin) Kirk of Tulsa, OK, James “Jim” ( Sheree) Gossling of Lawrenceville, GA, Nancy (Mike) Sorenson of Chino Hills, CA, Joan (Randy) Kone of Magna, UT, John (Marie) Gossling of Calgary, Canada, and Lisa (Chris) Pfleiger of Portland OR; 27 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren; two sisters, Lois South of Seattle, WA, and Elizabeth McCoy of Vancouver, WA, and several nieces and nephews.She was preceded in death by her parents, husband Kenneth M Gossling, and brother Grant Mehren.Memorial Service to be held Thursday, December 12, 2013 at 11:00am at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 3222 NE 162nd, Portland, OR. Interred at Willamette National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lia’s Personal Care Home, 2632 Herndon Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30043, in appreciation of the love and excellent care she received in her final three years of life.

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Ruth Mary Mehren Gossling

April 12, 1928 - November 30, 2013